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US demands immediate release of protesters in Nicaragua | Violence News

Cristiana Chamorro and two others were arrested on “false charges”, the US State Department said in a statement.

The United States has called on the government of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega on Friday to immediately release opposition leader Cristiana Chamorro and two allies.

“Their arrests on false charges are a violation of their rights, and represent a violation of democratic principles, as well as a concerted effort to prevent free and fair elections,” said U.S. Secretary of State Ned Price.

Chamorro was imprisonment after his house was captured by Nicaraguan police on June 2 in a growing battle ahead of the November election in which Ortega wants to remain in power.

A 67-year-old journalist, Chamorro is known to be able to compete with Ortega, who is expected to compete in November for the third time in a row.

Police attacked the house of Chamorro in the state capital, Managua, and after sitting there for more than five hours, he was placed in “prison, lonely”, his brother Carlos Fernando Chamorro announced on Twitter.

Cristiana Chamorro, President of Nicaragua, who wants to challenge longtime President Daniel Ortega in the November election, has been arrested [Carlos Herrera/Reuters]

Chamorro is the third opposition to be arrested in Nicaragua where two opposition parties have previously been declared illegal.

Chamorro’s arrest was also protested Friday by a prominent member of the Democratic Congress of the US Congress, Eric Swalwell of California.

“Instead of wasting time without democracy against the opposition, Ortega should work to lift his country out of poverty and the deadly violence that has forced many of his loved ones to leave the country,” Swalwell said.

Swalwell called on Biden’s management to work with allies in the region “to hurt Ortega on his government’s abuses of democracy and human rights”.

A group representing Nicaraguan political prisoners and mothers of victims of the Ortega regime has called for political demonstrations following the Chamorro arrests.

“The boycott is better than a bullet,” said Grethel Gomez, standing in front of the Chamorro building, as political family members of the prison came to demonstrate their solidarity.

Earlier this week, Nicaragua’s attorney general – a friend of Ortega – demanded that Chamorro not be suspended from public service for investigation, and the judge signed it immediately.

He was accused by state police of making money and a few false statements, which he denied.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, meeting with President Carlos Alvarado in Costa Rica on June 1, condemned Ortega’s actions and reaffirmed US Economic intentions against Nicaraguan authorities.

“Punishment comes with a purpose, and that I encourage accountability for those who commit human rights abuses, corruption, or demean democracy,” Blinken said.

Although Chamorro may call for non-compliance, the change will not happen because of Ortega’s actions in the courts.

Chamorro, a political activist, recently acted as a coalition candidate who could persuade opponents who voted in November to defeat Ortega.

Chamorro is the daughter of Violeta Chamorro, who was elected president of Nicaragua in 1990, ousting Ortega as soon as he took office, and his father, Pedro Joaquin Chamorro, was assassinated in 1978 after leading a democracy against the Somoza dictatorship for years.




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